[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 128 (Tuesday, July 21, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S4344]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNIZING SERGIO'S FAMILY RESTAURANT

 Mr. RUBIO. Madam President, as chairman of the Senate 
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize 
a small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit 
at the heart of our country. It is my privilege to recognize a family-
owned small business known for its community leadership and authentic 
Cuban cuisine. This week, it is my pleasure to honor Sergio's Family 
Restaurant of Miami, FL, as the Senate Small Business of the Week.
  In 1975, Blanca Cabrera opened what would become Sergio's Family 
Restaurant as a small sandwich shop off of Bird Road in Miami. Equipped 
with generations of family recipes, Blanca sought to honor her Cuban 
heritage. Her shop provided employment for several refugees, providing 
dignified work as they built new lives. She offered a fresh take on 
Cuban and American cuisine, and her sandwich shop became a local hit.
  Today, Sergio's Family Restaurant has expanded to 13 locations in 
South Florida. Carlos Gazitua, the chief executive officer, is the 
third generation family member to lead Sergio's. Under his leadership, 
the business has expanded its community involvement and emphasized 
healthy living while retaining its signature flavor. Sergio's has been 
recognized by the Florida Department of Health as the first certified 
restaurant to take part in the Healthy Happens Here restaurant 
initiative, incorporating low-calorie versions of traditional Cuban 
eats on their menu.
  At the local and State level and among its industry peers, Sergio's 
has been recognized for its outstanding cuisine. They were named Best 
Drive-Thru of 2015 by the Miami New Times, recognized as the 2017 
Restaurant of the Year by the South Florida Tourism Professional 
Awards, and their traditional empanadas were featured in ``Florida's 
Best Cheap Eats'' by Travel & Leisure Magazine. Additionally, the city 
of Miami and Miami-Dade County mayors honored Sergio's with Croqueta 
Day on October 2, 2018. On this day, Sergio's served its 20 millionth 
croqueta--croquette.
  As a community leader, Sergio's has advocated for several nonprofit 
organizations and local small businesses. In 2015, Sergio's donated 
food to a Live Like Bella Childhood Cancer Foundation event. Then-
Governor Rick Scott recognized Sergio's service in 2017, when they 
collected and shipped food and supplies to Puerto Rico after Hurricane 
Maria devastated the island. When Super Bowl LIV was held in Miami in 
2020, Sergio's partnered with The Women's Fund of Miami-Dade to raise 
funds for its mission to create awareness and preventing sex 
trafficking. Additionally, Carlos has advocated for small business in 
local and industry events, including the ``Bring Small Business Back'' 
initiative.
  Like many Floridian small businesses, Sergio's Family Restaurant 
stepped up to help its community during the coronavirus pandemic. They 
participated in several social media, radio, and video initiatives 
encouraging support for local, family-owned small businesses. 
Partnering with the Miami Heat and the Miami Dade County Public School 
Superintendent, Sergio's Restaurant provided meals for more than 500 
people in the Liberty City area. Sergio's collaborated with Meals for 
Heroes Miami to feed local healthcare workers and first responders, 
including donating approximately 1,400 meals to the Miami-Dade Fire 
Rescue teams. Additionally, Carlos worked with U.S. Department of 
Health and Human Services and the Florida Restaurant Lodging 
Association to provide more than 350,000 reusable masks for hospitality 
workers in South Florida.
  When the U.S. Small Business Administration launched the Paycheck 
Protection Program, it provided a much needed lifeline to small 
businesses, including Sergio's Restaurant. The PPP provides forgivable 
loans to impacted small businesses and nonprofits who maintain their 
payroll during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to a PPP loan, Sergio's 
was able to keep their employees paid until Miami reopened. Their 
community leadership and advocacy was recognized by Governor Ron 
DeSantis who visited Sergio's in early June.
  Through their service and leadership, Sergio's Family Restaurant is 
an outstanding example of how small businesses uplift their 
communities. I commend their support for local small businesses. 
Congratulations to Carlos and the entire team at Sergio's restaurant. I 
look forward to watching your continued growth and success throughout 
South Florida.

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